Studies indicate that microorganisms shed by patients can contaminate hospital surfaces at concentrations sufficient for transmission, and that these pathogens survive and persist for extended periods despite attempts to disinfect or remove them and can be transferred to the hands of healthcare personnel.Īs Mitchell, et al. An increasing number of experts are investigating these contaminated textiles (including privacy curtains, upholstery, apparel, etc.) as a vehicle for cross-contamination and transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) such as Clostridium difficile, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Other benefits are that rooms with folding screens are brighter, the screens do not get in the way of hoist equipment and that folding screens provide the best possible screening for patients and a good working environment for staff.Ubiquitous as they are in the hospital, healthcare textiles and other soft surfaces can fly under the radar in terms of the role they may play in the transmission of infectious agents. Folding screens are easy and straightforward to clean. (*see backside) has revealed the presence of contamination containing pathogenic bacteria in 119 out of 180 curtain screens that were examined. The main advantage of the folding screens over curtains is hygiene. The Danish arm of the company was founded one and a half years ago by 48-year-old Henrik Fribo-Søndergaard. Silentia is a Swedish-based company with headquarters in Falkenberg, where 25–30 employees produce the full range of screens, available in many different combinations of sizes, mounting options, colours, etc. “It’s great to hear that the trial has had such positive results, and I really look forward to working with the hospital in the near future.” The outcome naturally also pleases the CEO of Silentia SpA, Henrik Fribo-Søndergaard: Pia is so satisfied with the new screens that an order for folding screens has also been placed for the next project, starting in late August, when Silentia will supply patient screens for an extension to a surgical ward at OUH. They have major hygiene advantages, they are attractive and they give rooms a very light and welcoming appearance, and both the patients and the staff have been very pleased with them, despite the initial scepticism,” says Pia Dybdal. “But on the whole I can definitely recommend the use of folding screens – they are the screening solution of the future. Firstly I was in doubt about the practicality of the screens, whether they would be flexible enough,Īnd secondly it would be an expensive decision that could not be reversed. It’s no secret that I was very sceptical and unsure about the introduction of the folding screens. “The decision was clearly in favour of the folding screens. The trial began in May in connection with the extension of the intensive care and recovery department. This was the question that ward nurse Pia Dybdal and the staff and ward managers at Odense University Hospital (OUH) had to ask themselves after a trial of 18 new, white folding screens from Silentia measuring 1.55 m high and 3.75 m long. Should we stick with good old curtain screens to provide patient privacy or should we invest in the new folding screens from Silentia? The results clearly showed the benefits of the folding screens. Odense University Hospital (OUH) has been testing and comparing new folding screens from Silentia ApS against old curtain screens as privacy screening for patients.
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